matthews



R. B. MATTHEWS CONTROL APPARATUS Aug. 18, 1959 Filed Nov. i4, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheerl l s d' uuwyhwmlfazlur Aug. 18, 1959 R. B. MATTHEWS f 2,899,970

' CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Nov. 14, 1955 l3 Sheets-Sheet 2 figg'.

IN V EN TOR.

BY IMM/zulu /au 9 Aug. 18, 1959. R. B. MATTHEWS 2,899,970

CONTROL APPARATUS Filed NOV. 14, 1955 A 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 I INVENTOR. RUSSELL B. MATTHEWS ATTORNEYS United States CONTROL APPARATUS Russell B. Matthews, Wauwatosa, Wis., assignor to liaso Inc., Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application November 14, 1955, Serial No. 546,623

23 Claims. (Cl. 137-66) This invention relates, in general, to apparatus for conctrolling fluid how, and .the present application 1s a continuation-impart of my application, Serial No. 329,- 599, filed January 5, 1953, and now abandoned.

While I have shown and shall describe herein as an illustrative embodiment of the present invention a safety shut-off embodying 1a pair of valves, one for one ilow of uid and the other for another flow of fluid, it is to be understood that the invention is not, in its broader aspects, limited to this particular embodiment but may be employed in connection with any suitable controlling members and for all similar purposes.

One of the main objects of the present invention is to provide in a device of the character set forth a lirst controlling member having flrst and second operating positions, a second controlling member having first and second operating positions, a power unit adapted to be energized by a source of electric energy, and means restrained from operation when the power unit is energized and operatively associated with the first and second controlling members for operating both said controlling members from their second to their first operating positions upon deenergization of the power unit.

Another object is to provide -a device of the character set forth wherein the power unit is in the form of an electromagnet provided with an armature, and wherein there is means restrained from operation when the electromagnet and armature are held in attracted relation and operatively associated with the rst and second controlling members for operating both controlling members from flow-permitting positions to flow-preventing positions upon deenergization of the electromagnet.

Another object is to provide a `device of the character set forth wherein the electromagnet and armature are held in attracted relation when the electromagnet is energized by a source of electric energy and each has retractive movement away from the other upon deenergization of the electromagnet, and wherein one fluid iiow controlling member is operable from flow-permitting position to flow-preventing position by the retractive movement of the electromagnet and the other fluid flow controlling member is operable from flow-permitting position to flow-preventing position by the retractive movement of the armature.

Another object is to provide a device of the character set forth wherein there is means biasing both the lirst and second controlling members from their How-permitting positions to their flow-preventing positions, and wherein the electromagnet and armature therefor, when held in attracted relation upon energization ofthe electromagnet, restrain said biasing means, and wherein upon deenergization of the electromagnet the biasing means is released for movement of both controlling members from their flow-permitting positions to their flow-preventing positions.

Another object is to provide a safety shut-off for fluid fuel burning apparatus having a main burner vand an ignition burner wherein there is a rst valve having ilowice 2 preventing position shutting olf ow of fuel to the main burner and flow-permitting position permitting. flow of fuel to the main burner, a second valve having flowpreventing position shutting off flow of fuel to the ignltlon burner and flow-permitting position permitting ow of fuel to the ignition burner, an electromagnet for energization from a source of electric energy and an armature therefor held in attracted relation by energization of the electromagnet, and means restrained from operation when the electromagnet `and armature are held in attracted relation and operatively `associated with the first and second valves for operating both valves from their flow-permitting positions to their flow-preventing positions upon deenergization of the electromagnet. This is advantageous in that it provides shut-off of the fuel (i.e., shut-olf of the fuel for both the main burner and the ignition burner) upon deenergization of the electromagnet, for example, by extinguishment of theignition burner flame where the electromagnet is powered by a thermoelectric generator subject to the heat of such flame. p

Another object is to provide a safety shut-oil of the character set forth powered by its own internal source of electric energy such as that provided by a single thermocouple or by a thermopile or Vsimilar source of small electric energy and provides 100% safety shut-off in the manner set forth.

Another object is to provide a device of the character set forth wherein one valve member is carried by the electromagnet and the other valve member by the armature for movement of both valve members to Vtheir closed positions by separation of the electromagnet and armature from each other upon deenergization of the electromagnet such as takes place, for example, upon extinguishmeut of the ignition burner flame where the electromagnet is powered by -a Ithermoelectric generator subject to the heat of the ignition burner.

Another object is to provide a device of the character set forth wherein the electromagnet is movable into operative association with one valve member to pick up said valve member for movement to open position when the electromagnet is energized, the other valve member being opened by movement of the electromagnet into operative assoc1at1on with the rst mentioned valve member and there being means for manually resetting the electromagnet into operative association with the tirst valve member with accompanying movement of the other valve member to open position.

Another object is to provide a device wherein the main valve member which functions to shut oif, for example, the ow of gaseous fuel to the main burner upon extmguishment of the ignition burner, is held closed, for example, to 1nterrupt or shut off the ow of gaseous fuel to the main burner during the resetting operation.

Further objects and advantages and numerous adaptations of the invention will appear from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing showing two embodiments of the invention, it being understood that the invention is limited only wlithin the scope of the appended claims and not to the particular embodiment selected for illustration.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a sectional View through a safety shut-olf device embodying one form of present invention and showing more or less diagrammatically the same applied for shutting o the ow of fuel for both a main burner and an ignition burner and wherein there is a thermoelectric generator subject to the heat of the ignition burner for energizing the electromagnet; v

Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of the device of Figure 1 showing the hood assembly, electromagnet,

armature, pilot valve and mainl valve in energized posi- Y tion;

Figure 3 is a view similarfto Figure 2 showing the unit in `resetting position with the magnet frame in attracted relation with respect to the armature and the main valve in closed position; and Y y Figure 4 is a sectional view of a safety shut-oi device embodying'another form of the invention, the disposition ofthe parts thereof being similar to that of the correspending parts in Figure 2. v

In the embodiment of the inventionillustrated in Figures l`to 3 of the drawing, the numeral 1 indicates a valve body having a gaseous fuel inlet' 2 and a gaseous fuel'outlet 3. Contiguous sections of gaseous fuel sup- .ply -pipe 4 are connected to the inlet 2 and outlet 3. The section connected to the outlet 3 leads, for-example, to a main burner 5 which maybe located inV the4 rebox of a heater or fuel burning apparatus.

Internally the valve body 1 has a partition i6 dening a port 7 for placing the inlet 2 in communication 'with the` outlet 3 for supply of gaseous fuel to the main burner 5. l This port 7 is surrounded by an annular valve seat S upon which a`main valve or `control member 9 is adapted to seat to shut olf the ow of uid fuel -to the main burner 5. Near the upper end of the upright part of the valve body 1 is a pilot fuel outletk 1.0 which is connected by a pilot fuel supply pipe 11 to supply gaseous fuel to a pilot or ignition burner 12 located in juxtaposition to the main burner 5. 'Y Y j A pilot fue] outlet chamber 13 Vopens from the interior of the gaseous fuel inletchamber 1-4 to the pilot fuel outlet 10. The pilot outlet chamber 13 is surrounded by an annulary valve seat 15 upon which a pilot valve 16`is adapted to seat to shut oif the ow of fuel to the pilot burner 12. The Valves 9 and 16 are preferably providedl with yieldable or resilient facings 17 and 18, respectively, for cooperation with the respective valve seats 8 and 15.

' The delivery of gaseous fuel from the pipe 4 to the main burner 5 is preferably by way of a mixingpchamber 19 to which air is admitted through adjustable air inlets (not shown) as well understood in the art. Y

The pilot Valve 16 is carried by an electromagnet 28 comprising a magnet frame 21 and a coil 22 wound around the legs thereof, for example, by attaching the base of the magnet frame 21 to the valve disc at 23. The valve disc has an outwardly projecting stem 24 which carries a pin 25 operating in a slot 26` in a reset stem 27. VThe reset stem 27 carries a reset button 28 at its outer end andv a coiled spring 29 isv interposed, for example, between the button 28 and the valve bodyv 1 and biases the button 28 and reset stem 27 outwardly. Outward movementof the reset stem 27 is limited by engagement of stop Vshoulders 30 on the inner end thereof with an abutment 3'1` on the valve body 1.

An 'armature 35 cooperates with therelectromagnet 20, and an electromagnet and armature cup or housing 34 encloses'said electromagnet andarmature and is suitably Y Ysecured at 36 to the valve disc 16 and electromagnet 20 assembly for movement therewith as will presently appear. The armature 35 is carried by anrar'rnature stem '37 `which extends for reciprocatory movement through -an opening (which is preferably suitably sealed) inV the end wall 38 of the cup or housing 34. The main valve Vdisc 9 is carried on the opposite end of the stem 37 for the `valve disc 9 and the end wall 38 of the cup or housing 34, said spring acting in'one direction against the armature 35 and valve member 9 and reacting in the opposite tion.

their initial positions in separated relation and the valve members 9 and 16 toward their closed or iirst operating positions.

The electromagnet is shown as powered by a single thermocouple 45 heated, for example, by the flame of the ignition burner 12, although a thermopile or other source of small or, if desired, greater electric energy may be employed. The thermocouple 45 comprises dissimilar thermocouple elements 46 and 47 joined at 48 to form a hot junction which is heatedby the ignition burner llame. The thermocouple elements are connected in circuit. with the coil 22 of the electromagnet 20 by lead conductors 5%) and 51 for energization of the coil 22 by the thermocouple 45 when its hot junction is heated by the ignition burner flame. y

The thermocouple 45 and lead conductors 50 and 51 may be of concentric form, the thermocouple comprising an outer tubular thermocouple memberranclV arrinner thermocouple member and the lead conductors. comprising an outer tubular lead conductor joined to the outer thermocouple member and an inner llead conductor joined to the inner thermocouple member as disclosed in Oscar l. Leins Patent No. 2,126,564,l patented August `9, 1938.

In such case the concentric lead conductors may be detachably connected in circuit with the icoil 2,2 of the electromagnet 2tlby a detachable terminalV connector' means in the wall offthe upright portion of the valve body 1 as disclosed in Henry J. Alfery PatentN'o. 2,276,909, patented March 17, 1942. YTheY circuitV connection between the thermocouple V45 and` the :coil 22 Yhas been shown diagrammatically in the drawing of the present application. Y

The operation ofthe aforedescribed embodiment of the invention is as follows:

When it is desired to ignite or reignite the main burner 5 with the partsv in the deenergized shut-off position shown in Figure l of the drawing, the reset button 28 is engaged with the hand orfmgers and pressed inwardly. The pin 25 being positioned at the outer end-0f the slot V26, this inward movement of the reset button 28 moves the valve disc 16 and electromagnet 20 assembly inwardly until the poles of the magnet frame 21 are brought into Vcontact or attracted relation with respect Vto the amature 35, the end wall 38 of the cup 3'4 havingsliding movement along the stem 37.

The inward movement of the reset button Y28 is against the bias of spring, 29 and also againstV Vthe bias of spring 42 and' the accompanying initial in- Ward movement of the valve-disc and electromagnet assembly moves the pilot orignition valve 16 to a second operating position, i.e., a flow-permitting or open posi- Continued inward movement of the reset button sets thepoles of electromagnet frame 21 into coupled or attracted relation with .respect to the armature 35 to further compress the springs '29 rand 42 and place the parts in the reset position shown in Figure 3. As soon as the valve 16. is opened, the .gas which enters at the inlet 2 ilows through the inlet chamber 14'and out through the pilot fuel outlet chamber 13, pilot fuel outlet 10 and pilot fuel supply pipe 11 to the ignition burner 12 which may then be ignited, for example, by a match or lighted taper Vor by an electric igniter or otherwise as` desired.

The magnet Vframe 20 and armature 35 may be termed coupling members, andthe ux generating coil` V22. may be termed means for coupling said members.A As soon asV the heat ofthe ignition burner flame on thefhot junction 48 of the thermocouple 45- has-energized the coil 22 of the-electromagnet 20 suiiciently,v the. flux generated by said coil magnetically couples the` armature 35 in attracted -position or -corupledrelation withl revspectto the poles of the magnet framea-nd againstthe bias ofthe spring 42. The reset button 28 may then be released, and-when the ,resetI button-,isy 'released after direction against the electromagnet 20 and' valve member 18, biasing the electromagnet and annaturre toward energizationof ,the ,elect-romagnet, the lspring'r 29 acting .through the lost-motion Connection afforded by they slot 26 and pin 25, lwithdraws the assembly including the valve disc 16, housing 34, electromagnet 20, armature 35 and main valve 9 outwardly as a unit against the bias of spring 4t), and independent of spring 42 which remains compressed. The reset button 28, on release, moves outwardly to its initial position defined by engagement of shoulder 30 with abutment 31, but the unitary assembly is not moved therewith an equal amount due to the coaction therewith of the lost motion connection and spring 4t). The bias of spring 29 moves the unitary assembly to the on or energized position shown in Figure 2 wherein the pilot valve disc 16 is spaced away from the pilot valve seat a distance determined by the length of the slot 26, the pin 25, in this position of the device being at the bottom or inner end of the slot 26 to limit the eifect of the biasing spring 40 on the unitary assembly and dene the on position thereof. This movement of the unitary assembly, of course, also moves the valve member 9 away from its seat 8 to its second operating position, i.e., flow-permitting or open position, as shown in Figure 2. It is thus apparent that the springs 29 and 40, together with the lost-motion connection 25-26, afford positioning means for the parts in their on position, the abutment of the pin 25 with the lower end of the slot 26 aifording a stop or stop means limiting the effectiveness of the spring 40 in biasing the unitary assembly .when the parts are thus positioned.

Upon opening of the main valve 9, gaseous fuel passes through the outlet 3 and pipe 4 to the main burner S and is ignited thereat by the ignition burner 12. With the unit in energized position as shown in Figure 2, the flow of gaseous fuel which is established by opening of valve disc 16 continues to the ignition burner.

Upon extinguishment of the ignition burner flame the electromagnet is deenergized and the electromagnet and armature are freed for movement away from each other to their initial separated positions. The springs 40 and 42 then move the main valve 9 to its rst operating or closed position shutting olf the iiow of fuel to the main burner, and the spring 42, acting through its engagement with the wall 38 of the cup 34, moves pilot valve 16 to its first operating or closed position shutting off the flow of fuel to the pilot burner. There is thus provided 100% safety shut-off for both the main burner and the ignition burner upon the deenergization of the electromagnet 2G which occurs upon extinguishment of the ignition burner ame.

While the operation of the improved control apparatus has been described as including the resetting operation shown in Figure 3, it is within the concept of the present invention to utilize an electromagnet and armature assembly in which, lupon energization of the electromagnet, the armature and electromagnet are moved from separated to attracted relation by magnetic attraction to thereby move the parts from the positions shown in Figure l to the positions shown in Figure 2 without any manual operation. Direct acting electromagnetic assemblies not requiring manual resetting are well known in the art.

It is also within the concept of the present invention to dispense with the lost motion connection between the stems 24 and 27 and the shoulders 30 if desired. With such an arrangement, the on position of the parts shown in Figure 2 is defined by selecting springs 29 and 40 of such strength that the forces thereof are balanced when the unitary assembly is positioned as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 shows a flow control device similar to that shown in Figures l to 3 having embodied therein another form of the invention within the basic concept thereof. In Figure 4 the parts indicated by primed reference characters correspond to similar parts in Figures l to 3 indicated by the same reference characters unprimed.

It will be observed that the position of the sub-assembly comprising the electromagnet armature 35', and housing 34 is reversed from the position of the corresponding sub-assembly in Figures 1 to 3, and that the pilot valve ,16' is carried by the stem 37 whereas the main fuel valve 9' is carried by the electromagnet 20. The housing 34' carries a plate 53 which may be xed thereto and against which one end of the spring 40' abuts, the other end of said spring abutting a wall portion 41' of the valve body 1 surrounding the valve seat 8' as shown. The spring 40' biases the plate 53toward stop means which may take the form of a pair of pins or of one or more suitable shoulder or abutment members 52 fixed within `the valve body 1' for a purpose which will become apparent hereinafter. Reset means in the form of a stem 27 having an external button 28 biased outwardly by a spring 29' may be provided if the electromagnet and armature assembly is of the type requiring manual resetting. If, however, the electromagnet and armature do not require manual resetting, the aforementioned reset means may be dispensed with.

In Figure 4 the parts of the device are shown in the on7 or energized position corresponding to the on position of the device shown lin Figure 2. The electromagnet 20 and armature 35' are magnetically coupled in `attracted relation against the bias of the spring 42' which acts in one direction against said electromagnet and reacts in the opposite direction against said armature, said spring being substantially stronger than the spring 40' as will hereinafter appear. When 4the electromagnet and armature are thus coupled, the spring 40', independent of spring 42'y which remain compressed, biases the unitary assembly, comprising the electromagnet, armature, housing 34', plate 53, pilot valve or control member 16' and main fuel valve or control member `9', in the direction away from the valve seat 8 and the plate 53 into abutment with the stop or stop means 52 which limits the effectiveness of the spring 40 and coacts therewith as positioning meansfor lthe unitary assembly, defining the aforementioned on position wherein the pilot valve 16 is spaced from the seat 15' and the main fuel valve 9. is spaced from the seat 8'. If desired, the stop means 52 may be omitted, in which case the on position of the unitary assembly is defined by the free length of the spring 40'. In such a case a spring 40' is` used which has a free length equal to the spacing between the plate 53 and the wall portion 41' shown in Figure 4. Where the stop means 52 are used, the free length of the spring 40' may be greater than the aforementioned distance, since the stop means 52 prevents movement of the unitary assembly by said spring beyond the positions shown.

On deenergization of the electromagnet 20', the spring 42 uncouples the electromagnet and armature and moves each of said electromagnet and armature away from the other to thereby move lthe valves 9 and 16 to closed position. In so doing, the spring 42 overcalls the weaker spring 40', compressing the latter as the plate 53 and housi-ng 34', together with the electromagnet 20 and valve 9', move toward the seat 8'. Closure of the valves 9' and 16' eifects 100% shut-olf of the fuel iiow.

To manually reset the device shownin Figure 4, the reset button 28' is manually depressed to cause the stem 27 to engage the pilot valve member 16 and move `said valve member and the armature 35 inwardly against the bias of the spring 42' until the armature 35 is in attracted relation with respect to the pole faces of the electromagnet 20. While the pilot valve member 16' is opened during this movement, the main fuel valve 9 remains undistunbed in its closed position. Energization of the electromagnet 20' While the armature 35' is in attracted relation with respect thereto, magnetically couples said armature and electromagnet, and upon release of the reset button 28 and retraction thereof by the spring 29', the spring 40 acting against .the plate S3, moves the unitary assembly in the direction a-way from the seat 8' to the on position shown, wherein the plate 53 engages the' stop means 52 andV thevalves 9V and 16 are in open positions. i Y The embodiment of the invention shown in the drawing` is for illustrative purposes only and it is to be expressly understood that said drawing land the laecompanying specification are not to bel construed as a denition of the limits or scope of the invention, reference being had to the appended claims for that purpose.

I` claim: Y p

1. Apparatus for controlling fluid flow, comprising, lirst and second valve members each having flow-permitting :and flow-preventing positions, an electromagnet and armature therefor relatively movable to attracted and retracted relation and operatively associated, respectively with said rst and second valve members, rst biasing -means biasing said eleotroma-gnet and Yarmature toward retracted relation, reset means for effecting positioning of said electromagnet and armature in attracted relation and one of said valve members to now-permitting position, second biasing means operable independent of said rst biasing means upon release of said reset means during energization of said electromagnet to etect movement of said electromagnet and armature as a unit to thereby move said other valve member to flow-permitting position, positioning means including a stop to limit the effectiveness of said second biasing means to thereby position said electromagnet and Varmature in an intermediate position to maintain both of said Yvalve members in their How-permitting positions, said iirst biasing means being operable upon deenergization of said electromagnet to effect retractive movement of said electromagnet and armature to thereby move both of said valve members to their How-preventing positions.

2. Apparatus for controlling fluid ow comprising, rst and second valve members each having how-permitting and flow-preventing positions, an electromagnet and armature therefor, said first valve having operative connection with said electromagnet and said second valve having operative connection with said armature, reset means for moving said. electromagnet into attracted relation with respect to said amature and simultaneouslysaid first valve member to dow-permitting position, biasing means for retracting said reset means, said armature and electromagnet when energized tending to move as a unit with said reset means with movement of the latterto its re- -tracted position, said second valve member moving to flow-permitting position with such movement,V` means including lost motion connection between said electromagnetand said reset means for maintaining said electromagnet` and armature as a unit in an intermediate position as determined by said lost motion connection and in which position both of said valves are maintained in flowpermitting position, and means for moving said armature and electromagnet apart upon deenergization of the latter and thereby moving both of said valves to flow-preventing positions. Y

3. Apparatus for controlling fluid flow, comprising, iirst and second valve members each having flow-permitting and flow-preventing positions, an electromagnetand armature therefor, said irst valve being operatively associated with said electromagnet and said second valve being operatiyely associated with said armature, reset means for placing said electromagnet and armature in attracted relation thereby moving one of said valve members to flowpermitting position, biasing means for retracting said reset means, a lost motion connection between said electromagnet and reset means, said armature and electromagnet when energized tending to move as a unit with said reset Ymeans with movement of the latter to its retracted position, the other of said valve members moving to ilowpermitting position with such movement, means for maintaining -saidelectromagnety and armature as' a unit in an intermediate position as determined by said lost motion connection and in which position both of said valves are 'maintained in flow-permitting position, and means for preventing positions.

moving said armature and electromagnet apart upon deenergization of the latter and thereby moving both of said valves to flow-preventing positions.

4. Apparatus for controlling fluid tlow comprising, first and second valve members each having flow-permitting and flow-preventing'positions, an electromagnet and arma- 'ture'therefon said first valve xed to said electromagnet for control solely thereby and said second valve fixed to said armature for control solely thereby, reset means for moving said electromagnet into attracted position with respect to said armature and `simultaneously said first yalve member to flow-permitting position while maintaining `said second yalve in flow-preventing position, rst biasing means for retracting said reset means, a lost motion connection comprising an elongated slot'formed in said reset means and a pin operatively associated with said slot and havingconnection with said electromagnet, said armature and electromagnet when energized tendling to move as a unit with said reset means with movement of the latter -to its retracted position, said Second valve member moving to flow-permitting position with such movement, second biasing means opposing said rst biasing means and cooperating with said lost motion connection for maintaining said electromagnet and. armature as a unit in an intermediate position as determined by the length of said elongated slot and in which position 4both of said valves are maintained in flow-permitting positions, and third biasing means for moving said armature and electromagnet apart upon deenergization of the latter and thereby moving both of said valves'to flow- 5. Control apparatus comprising, a pailof oppositely ydisposed valve seats, a pair of valve members for cooperation respectively with said valve seats, a pair of relatively movable coupling members each carrying one of said valve members and having anattracted Yrelative position with respect to the other `coupling member wherein said valve members are in closer proximity to each other than are said valve seats, releasable coupling means for coupling said coupling members when in their attracted relative positions, means for effecting disposition of said coupled coupling members in a position in which `both of said valve members are in spaced relation to their Krespective valve seats, and means independent of said means for effecting disposition yfor moving said coupling members from attracted relative positions to separated relative positions whereby each of said valve members is moved into engagement with its respective valve seat.

6. Control apparatus comprising, a pair of oppositely disposed valve seats, a pair of valve members for cooperation respectively with said Valve seats, a pair of relatively movable coupling members each carrying one of said valve members and having a coupled position wherein said valve members are in closer proximity to each other than are said yvalve seats, means for effecting disposition of said coupling members when coupled in a v position in which both of said valve members are in spaced relation to their respective valve seats, and means independent of said Imeans for effecting disposition for moving ysaid coupling members from their saidV coupled position to separated relative positions whereby each of said valve members is moved into engagement with its respective valve seat.

7. Control apparatus comprising, a pair of oppositely disposed val-ve seats, means positioned intermediate said valve seats including a pair of valves for lcooperation respectively with said valve seats, and a pair of coupling members Xed Vrespectively to said valveY members, said coupling members being relatively movable and having a separated position and coupled position wherein the-distance between said valve members is less .than the distance between said valve seats, means positioning said coupling members 'when coupled in a Vposition in which both of said valve members are in spaced relation with respect to Vtheir respective valveseats, and means inde- 9 pendent of said positioning means for moving said coupling members from coupled position to their said separated relative positions whereby each of said valve members is moved into engagement with its respective valve seat.

8. Control apparatus comprising, a pair of oppositely disposed substantially coaxial valve seats, means disposed intermediate said valve seats including a pair of valve members cooperating respectively with said valve seats, biasing means normally urging said valve members apart and into engagement with their respective seats, and releasable coupling means opposing said biasing means and comprising a pair of coupling members each associated with one of said valve members and relatively movable with respect to each other and to said valve seats, and means for moving said coupling members into coupled relation and maintaining them when so coupled in a position intermediate said Valve seats with said valve members out of engagement therewith, release of said coupling permitting said biasing means to effect engagement of said valve members with their respective seats.

9. Control apparatus comprising, first and second control members each having first and second operating positions, rst and second coupling members rigidly fixed relative to said first and second control members respectively and each having an attracted position with respect to the other coupling member and a separated position with respect thereto wherein the respective control member is in its rst operating position, first biasing means to bias both of said coupling members toward their separated positions, releasable coupling means for coupling said coupling members when in their attracted positions against the bias of said first biasing means for movement thereof as a unitary assembly, and positioning means operable independent of said first biasing means and including second biasing means operatively coacting with said coupling members, when coupled, to position said unitary assembly so that each of said coupling members retains its respective control member in its second operating position, said first biasing means on release of said coupling means, effecting movement of each of said coupling members towards its separated position for movement of each of said control members from its second to its rst operating position.

10. Control apparatus comprising, rst and second control members each having first and second operating positions, first and second coupling members rigidly fixed relative to said first and second control members respectively and each having an attracted position with respect to the other coupling member and a separated position with respect thereto wherein the respective control member is in its rst operating position, first biasing means to bias both of said coupling members toward their separated positions, releasable coupling means for coupling said coupling members when in their attracted positions against the bias of said first biasing means for movement thereof as a unitary assembly, and positioning means operable independent of said first biasing means and including second biasing means operatively coacting with said coupling members, when coupled, and stop means limiting movement of said unitary assembly under the biasof said second biasing means to position said coupled coupling members so as to effect disposition of said control members in their second operating positions, said first biasing means on release of said coupling means, effecting movement of each of said coupling members towards its separated position for movement of each of said control members from its second to its first operating position.

ll. Control apparatus comp-rising, first and second control members each having first and second operating positions, first and second coupling members rigidly fixed relative to said first and second control members respectively and each having an attracted position with respect to the other coupling member and an initial position in separated relation with respect thereto wherein the respective control member is in its first operating position, rst biasing means to bias both of said coupling members toward their initial positions, releasable coupling means for coupling said coupling members when in their attracted positions against the bias of said first biasing means for movement thereof as a unitary assembly, and positioning means operable independent of said first biasing means and including second biasing means operatively coacting with said coupling members, when coupled, to position said unitary assembly so that each of said coupling members retains its respective control member in its second operating position, said first biasing means on release of said coupling means, effecting movement of each of said coupling members towards its initial position for movement of each of said control members from its second to its first operating position..

l2. Control app-aratus comprising rst and second control members each having first and second operating positions, first and second coupling members having separated initial positions and relatively movable to coupled relation operatively connected to said first and second control members respectively to effect disposition of said control members in their first operating positions when said coupling members are in their initial positions, biasing means to bias bothV of said coupling members toward their initial positions, and positioning means operatively coacting with said coupling members, when coupled, to position said coupling members independent of said biasing means so that neither one of said coupling members is in its initial position and said control members are in their second operating positions, said biasing means on uncoupling of said coupling members, effecting movement of each of said coupling members toward its initial position for movement of each of said control members toward its first operating position.

13. Control apparatus comprising first and second control members each having first and second operating positions, first and second coupling members having separated initial positions and relatively movable to coupled relation operatively connected to said first and second control members respectively to effect disposition of said control members in their first operating positions when said coupling members are in their initial positions, iirst biasing means to bias both of said coupling members toward their initial positions, and positioning means including second biasing means operatively coacting with said coupling members, when coupled, to position said coupling members independent of said first biasing means so that neither one of said coupling members is in its initial position and said control members are in their second operating positions, said first biasing means on unconpling of said coupling members, effecting movement of each of said coupling members toward its initial position for movement of each of said control members toward its first operating position.

14. Control apparatus comprising, first and second control members each having first and second operating positions, first and second coupling members operatively connected -to said first and second control members respectively and each having an attracted position with ref spect to the other coupling member and an initial position in separated relation with respect thereto for positioning the respective control member in its first operating position, biasing means to bias both of said coupling members toward their initial positions, releasable coupling means for coupling said coupling members when in their attracted positions against the bias of said biasing means for movement thereof as a unitary assembly, and positioning means operatively coacting 1with said coupling members, when coupled, to move said unitary assembly independent of said biasing means to a position wherein neither of said coupling members is in its initial position and said control members are in their second operating positions, said biasing means on release of said cou- Y T1 pling means, eiectingmovement of each of said coupling members towards its-initiallposition for movement of each of said control membersfrom its second to its irst operating position.` l 1 f i f 15. Control apparatus comprising, rst and second control members each having first and second operating positions, iirst and second coupling members operatively connected to said iirst and second control members frespectiyely and each having an attracted position with respect to the other coupling member and an initial position in separated relation with respect thereto for positioning the respective control member in its first operating position, iirst biasing means acting against one of said coupling members and reacting against the other to bias both of said coupling members toward their initial positions, releasable coupling means for coupling said coupling members when Vin their attached positions against the bias of said iirst biasing means, and positioning means including second biasing means operatively coacting with said coupling members, when coupled, to move the same and stop means to limit lthe movement of said coupled coupling members under the bias of said second biasing means so tha't neither one of said coupling members is in `its initial position and said control members are in their second operating positions, said iirst biasing means on release of said coupling means, eiiecting movement of each of said coupling members towards its initial positionv for movement of each of said control members from its second to its rst operating position.

1,6. Control apparatus comprising, iirst and second control members each having irst and second operating positions, iirst and second coupling members operatively connected to said first and second control members respectively and each having an attracted position with respect to the other coupling members and an initial position in separated relation with respect thereto for positioning the respective control member in its irst V,operating position, biasing means to bias both of said coupling members toward their initial positions, reset means operable to effect relative movement of Vsaid coupling members to attracted relative positions against the force of said biasing means and movement of one of said control members from its lirst to its second operating position, releasable coupling means for coupling said coupling members lwhen reset, and positioning means operatively coacting with said coupling members, when conpled, to position said coupling members independent of said biasing means so that neither one of said coupling members is in its initial position and said control members are in their second operating positions, said biasing means on release of said coupling means, effecting movement of each of said coupling members towards its initial position for movement of each of said control members from its second to its iirst operating position.

l7. Control apparatus comprising, iirst and second control members each having first and second operating positions, rst and second magnetic members operatively connected to said iirst and second control members respectively and each having an attracted position with respect to the other magnetic member and an initial position in separated relation with respect thereto for positioning the respective control member in its first operating position7 biasing means acting against one of said magnetic members and reacting against the other to bias both of said ,magnetic members toward their initial positions, electromagnetic coupling means energizable to couple said magnetic members in their attracted relative positions when moved thereto against the bias of said biasing means, and positioning means operatively coacting with said magnetic members, when coupled, to position said magnetic members'so that neither one of said magnetic members is in its initial position and thereby to vdispose said control membersV in' their second operating positions, said biasing means upon deenergization ofV said electromagnetic coupling means, eecting movement of each of said 12 magnetic members towards its initial position for movement of each of said control members from its second to its iirst operating position. l

V18. Control apparatus, .comprisingrstjand.second control members each having first and second controllingpositions, rst and second coupling members movable toV coupled and separated relation and operatively associated-respectively with said rst and second control members, -iirst'biasing means biasing said coupling members toward separated relation, reset means for eiecting positioning of said coupling members in coupled relation and one of said control members to its second controlling position, second biasing means operable upon release of said reset means while said coupling members are coupled to effect movement of said coupling members as a unit independent of said rst biasing meansrto thereby move said other control member to its second controlling position, and lpositioning means including a stop to limit movement of said coupling members as a unit under the bias of said secondbiasing means to thereby define an intermediate position for said coupled coupling members eiecting disposition of both of said control members in their second controlling positions, said iirst biasing means being operable upon uncoupling of said coupling members to eifect retractive movement of said coupling members to thereby move both of ksaid control members to theirviirst controlling positions.

19. Control apparatus, comprising, rst and second control-members each having rst and second controlling positions, iirst and second coupling members movable to coupled and separated relations and 'operatively associated respectively with said rst and second control members, first biasing means acting against one of said coupling members and reacting against the other to bias said coupling members toward separated relation, reset means for effecting positioning of said coupling members in coupled relation and one of said control members to its second controlling position, means for coupling said coupling members when in coupled relation, second biasing means operable upon release of said reset means while said coupling members are coupled to effect movement Yof said coupling members as a unit to thereby move said other control member to its second controlling position, and positioning means including a stop to limit movement of'said coupling members as a unit under the bias of said second biasing means to thereby defi-ne an intermediate position for said coupled coupling members ef fecting disposition of both of said control members in their second controlling positions, said iirst biasing means being operable upon uncoupling of said coupling members to eiect retractive movement of said coupling members to thereby move both of said control members to their first controlling positions.

20. Control apparatus comprising rst and second control members each having rst and second operating positions, rst and second coupling members having separated initial positions and relatively movable to coupled relation operatively connected to said rst and second control members respectively to eect disposition of said control members in their rst operating positions when said coupling mem-bers'are in their initial positions, biasing means acting against one of said coupling members and reacting against the other to bias both of said coupling members toward their initial positions, and -positioning means operatively coacting with said coupling members, when coupled, to position said coupling members so that neither one of said coupling members is in its initial position and said control members are in their second operating positions, said biasing means on uncoupling of said coupling members, eecting movement of each of said coupling members toward its initial position for' movement of each of said control members toward its first operatingposition.

tions and relatively movable to coupled relation, biasing means to bias both of said coupling members toward their initial positions, and positioning means operatively coacting with said coupling members, when coupled, to position said coupling members independent of said biasing means so that neither one of said coupling members is in its initial position, said biasing means on uncoupling of said coupling members, eiecting movement of each of said coupling members toward its initial position.

22. In control apparatus the combination of first and second coupling members having separated initial positions and relatively movable to coupled relation, rst biasing means to 'bias both of -said coupling members toward their initial positions, and positioning means including second biasing means operatively coacting with said coupling members, when coupled, to position said coupling members independent of said first biasing means so that neither one of said coupling members is in its initial position, said rst biasing means on nncoupling of said coupling members, effecting movement of each of said coupling members toward its initial position.

P1 4 23. In control apparatus the combination of first an second coupling members having separated initial positions and relatively movable to coupled relation, biasing means acting against one of said coupling members and reacting against the other to bias both of said coupling members toward their initial positions, and positioning means operatively coacting with said coupling members, when coupled, to position said coupling members so that neither one of said coupling members is in its initial position, said biasing means on uncoupling of said coupling members, effecting movement of each of said coupling members toward its initial position.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,268,960 Ray Jan, 6, 1942 2,275,340 Betz Mar. 3, 1942 2,290,108 Mantz July 14, 1942 2,604,266 Jackson July 2, 1952 2,644,640 Eskin July 7, 1953 2,658,515 Jackson Nov. l0, 1953 

